Brendan Rodgers' first Barclays Premier League game in charge ended in defeat as 10-man Liverpool went down to a 3-0 opening-day loss at West Bromwich Albion.

Zoltan Gera gave the hosts the lead just before half-time at the Hawthorns, finding the back of the net with a well-struck 20-yard volley from a half-cleared corner.

Liverpool were then left stunned by five second-half minutes which began with a red card for Daniel Agger after he was deemed to have bundled over Shane Long when the home side's striker went through on goal.

The No.9 took the resulting spot-kick himself, but was thwarted by Reina. However, the Reds' custodian could not keep out a second West Brom penalty on 63 minutes which Peter Odemwingie drilled into the back of the net after Martin Skrtel was adjudged to have brought down Long.

And the Reds' afternoon went from bad to worse when Romelu Lukaku headed in a third for West Brom late on to secure all three points.

The pre-match team news confirmed starts for summer signings Joe Allen and Fabio Borini, while Glen Johnson began at left-back as a slight knock sustained in training prevented Jose Enrique from travelling to the Midlands.